Hem protector for open heeled shoe

ABSTRACT

A hem protector for an open-heeled slingback shoe has an elongated body with a first end and a second end. The second end includes an opening for securing the first end to a heel on the shoe, and a strap attachment means for attaching the second end to a strap on the shoe proximate to the heel. The strap attachment means has a flap that folds around the strap and is secured to the elongated body by mating fasteners. The hem protector is preferably a soft, non-slip rubber material, such as neoprene.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to garment accessories, namely, a hem and/or cuff protector that prevents hems of skirts and cuffs of pants from slipping between the heel of the foot and the insole of an open heeled shoe.

One style of women's shoes is called a “slingback”, typically a high-heeled shoe with no back heel support or open-heeled, but instead, a strap that wraps across the back of the heel in a horizontal position just below the ankle. The slingback style of shoe accounts for approximately fifty percent of the women's shoe market in North America.

Typically, in open heeled shoes, one can experience the problem of the hem or cuff slipping between the heel of the foot and the insole of the shoe. In closed heeled shoes, this problem is avoided by the closed heel material. When wearing open heeled shoes, such slipping action subjects the hem or cuff to excessive wear or fraying through repeated slipping between the heel of the foot and the insole of the shoe. This also causes discomfort to the wearer while walking or standing on a thick or hard hem or cuff. Such slippage of the hem or cuff may also cause trip or fall accidents and can also take away from the desired aesthetic effect of the open heeled shoe with the particular skirt or pants.

Professional women who wear slacks/pants or other clothing with a cuff/hem near the heel, are forced to wear non-slingback shoes in such instances, minimizing their fashion options every day they go to work (i.e., fifty percent of the shoes in their closet can't be worn). If slingback shoes are worn, pants will typically get caught under the heel when walking, causing discomfort, potential damage to fabric and a lack of aesthetic appeal. Women sometimes refer to this as a “heel wedgie”, where the fabric gets caught under the heel while walking.

A number of prior art devices address similar problems by providing a protector having a central body of flexible material that conforms to and covers the rear portion of the shoe upper. The central body is held in place by one or more lower loops that fit around the heel of the shoe and an open upper strap that can be wrapped around the ankle and fastened to the opposite side of the central body. Examples include Swiss Patent No. 675,193 and French Patent No. 2,642,278, both of which are primarily concerned with protecting the heel of high heeled shoes from wear that occurs when driving an automobile or engaging in similar activity.

Another prior art example includes U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0060230 for a cuff protector that comprises an upper loop to be releasably worn about the user's ankle and a lower loop for releasable attachment to the heel of the user's footwear. While this prior art device is intended to prevent a hem or cuff from slipping between the heel of the foot and the insole of the shoe, such suffers from the same drawbacks in that it is looped around the ankle of a user. Attaching such a device to the ankle of a user and the heel of a shoe presents additional hazards for trip or fall accidents where the device may get hooked on or otherwise separate from the heel of the shoe and cause pulling or tugging on the ankle of a user.

None of the above inventions or any other prior art, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Accordingly, there is a need for a hem protector for an open heeled shoe that prevents the hem or cuff from slipping between the heel of the foot and the rear of the shoe while not being secured to the ankle of the user. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a hem protector for an open heeled shoe. The hem protector comprises an elongated body having a first end and a second end. The first end includes a heel securement means for securing the first end to a heel on the shoe. The second end includes a strap attachment means for attaching the second end to a strap on the shoe proximate to the heel.

The strap attachment means preferably comprises a flap configured to fold around the strap and a flap securement means for securing the flap to the elongated body after being folded around the strap. The flap securement means preferably comprises mating fasteners disposed on the flap and the elongated body proximate to a midpoint thereof. Said mating fasteners preferably comprise hook and loop material, snaps, a button and a buttonhole, or magnets.

The heel securement means preferably comprises a slotted opening in the second end of the elongated body. The slotted opening is configured to fit around the heel of the shoe. The elongated body preferably has a solid color or decorative pattern thereon. The solid color or decorative pattern is preferably configured to match a color or decorative pattern of the shoe.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an illustration of the hem protector of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of an illustration of the hem protector of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view the hem protector of the present invention having button and buttonhole fasteners;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view the hem protector of the present invention reversing the positions of the button and buttonhole fasteners from FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a rear environmental view of the hem protector of the present invention installed on an open heeled shoe;

FIG. 6 is a rear environmental view of an alternate embodiment of the hem protector of the present invention installed on an open heeled shoe;

FIG. 7 is a slightly elevated side environmental view of the hem protector of the present invention installed on an open heeled shoe;

FIG. 8 is a side, partial sectional, environmental view of the hem protector of FIG. 7 installed on a shoe.

FIG. 9 is a front view of an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the hem protector of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a hem protector of the present invention illustrating hook and loop fasteners;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a hem protector of the present invention illustrating magnetic fasteners;

FIG. 12 is a side environmental view illustrating installation of the hem protector of FIG. 10 or 11 on an open heeled shoe;

FIG. 13 is a close-up, partial sectional view of FIG. 12 in the area designated by the circle 13;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the hem protector of the present invention having snap fasteners;

FIG. 15 is a side environmental view illustrating the hem protector of FIG. 11 installed on a shoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the accompanying drawings for purposes of illustration, the present disclosure for the hem protector for an open heeled shoe is referred to generally by reference number 20. Turning now to representative figures, FIGS. 1, 2 and 9 generally illustrate the hem protector 20 in front and rear views. The hem protector 20 has an elongated body 22 having a first end 24 and a second end 26. The first end 24 includes an opening 28 configured as a slot or a water drop to secure the first end 24 to a heel of a shoe. The first end 24 preferably has a pinch 25 having a width slightly narrower than the width of the elongated body 22. As will be illustrated and described further below, the narrower width of the first end 24 allows for the elongated body 22 to conform to the heel of the shoe more closely. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate different embodiments having different sizes for different sized shoes or heels. The general construction of the hem protector 20 does not change with shoe or heel size.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second end 26 includes a mechanism 30 to attach the second end 26 to a strap on the shoe. As will be described more fully below, this mechanism 30 preferably comprises mating fasteners to attach the second end 26 to a midpoint 32 on the elongated body 22.

The hem protector 20 is preferably made from a clear, transparent or translucent, soft, non-slip rubber material, i.e., neoprene. The hem protector 20 is wide enough to prevent slippage of a hem/cuff as described, and has enough give to allow natural foot movement when walking, climbing stairs, dancing or moving in general. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6, one side of the hem protector 20 may be provided with a decorative pattern 34. The hem protector may also be provided in a solid color. The purpose of the solid color or decorative pattern 34 is so that the hem protector 20 matches a color or decorative pattern of the shoe.

FIGS. 5-8 illustrate the hem protector 20 installed on an open heeled shoe 36, preferably of the slingback type having an ankle strap 38. As illustrated, the first end 24 is secured to a heel 40 of the shoe 36 by inserting the heel 40 through the opening 28. The opening 28 is substantially co-extensive with the first end 24 so as to be able to adjust to various heel sizes. The water drop shape of the opening 28 permits the first end 24 to conform to the shape of the heel 40. As the opening 28 rises up the heel the material of the first end 24 generally conforms to the shape of the heel. The pinch 25 of the first end 24 provides an advantage here as the material is less likely to pucker or buckle as the heel 40 widens. The hem protector 20 is configured to be primarily compatible with heel sizes ranging from 1-4 inches, but may work with larger heels.

The second end 26 is configured to engage the ankle strap 38. By this configuration, the flap 31 folds over the strap 38 and contacts the midpoint 32 of the elongated body 22. The attachment mechanism 30 is configured to hold the flap 31 in contact with the midpoint 32 of the elongated body 22.

FIGS. 7-15 illustrate the hem protector 20 of the present invention with various embodiments of the attachment mechanism 30. FIG. 7 illustrates the hem protector 20 wherein the attachment mechanism 30 comprises a button 48 a and a buttonhole 48 b. FIG. 8 illustrates in a partial cross-sectional view how the flap 31 folds over the ankle strap 38 to contact the midpoint 32. Upon contacting the midpoint 32, the button 48 a may be pushed through the buttonhole 48 b to create the secure attachment to the ankle strap 38.

FIG. 10 illustrates a hook 42 a and loop 42 b material, e.g. Velcro®, as the attachment mechanism 30. FIG. 11 illustrates the attachment mechanism 30 as oppositely polarized magnets 44 a, 44 b. FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the operation of either the hook 42 a and loop 42 b material or the magnets 44 a, 44 b. In both instances, the flap 31 is folded over the ankle strap 38 such that the second end 26 is proximate to the midpoint 32 and the mating fasteners engage each other. In the case of the hook 42 a and loop 42 b material, the mating portions are pushed together such that a secure attachment is created. In the case of the oppositely polarized magnets 44 a, 44 b the mating fasteners are contacted such that their magnetic attraction holds them together. In both instances, the second end 26 is securely attached to the ankle strap 38.

In FIG. 14, the hem protector 20 is illustrated where the attachment mechanism 30 comprises mating snaps 46 a, 46 b. FIG. 15 illustrates how once the flap 31 is folded over the ankle strap 38 and contacts the midpoint 32, the mating snaps 46 a, 46 b are joined to create the secure attachment.

Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hem protector for an open-heeled shoe, comprising: an elongated body having a first end and a second end; a heel securement means on said first end, said heel securement means for securing the first end to a heel on the shoe; and a strap attachment means on said second end, said strap attachment means for attaching the second end to a strap on the shoe proximate to the heel.
 2. The hem protector of claim 1, wherein said strap attachment means comprises a flap configured to fold around the strap and a flap securement means for securing the flap to the elongated body after being folded around the strap.
 3. The hem protector of claim 2, wherein the flap securement means comprises mating fasteners disposed on the flap and the elongated body proximate to a mid-point thereof.
 4. The hem protector of claim 3, wherein said mating fasteners comprise hook and loop material, snaps, a button and a button-hole, or magnets.
 5. The hem protector of claim 1, wherein said heel securement means comprises an opening in the first end of the elongated body configured to fit around the heel.
 6. The hem protector of claim 1, wherein the elongated body has a solid color or a decorative pattern configured to match a color or decorative pattern of the shoe.
 7. The hem protector of claim 1, wherein the elongated body is made from a non-slip, rubber material.
 8. The hem protector of claim 7, wherein the non-slip, rubber material is neoprene.
 9. The hem protector of claim 1, wherein the elongated body is clear, transparent or translucent.
 10. A hem protector for an open-heeled shoe, comprising: an elongated body having a first end and a second end; an opening in said first end, said opening configured to fit around a heel on the shoe and secure the first end to the heel; and a flap on said second end configured to fold around the strap and a flap securement means for securing the flap to the elongated body after being folded around the strap, said flap and flap securement means for attaching the second end to a strap on the shoe proximate to the heel.
 11. The hem protector of claim 10, wherein the flap securement means comprises mating fasteners disposed on the flap and the elongated body proximate to a mid-point thereof.
 12. The hem protector of claim 11, wherein said mating fasteners comprise hook and loop material, snaps, a button and a button-hole, or magnets.
 13. The hem protector of claim 10, wherein the elongated body has a solid color or a decorative pattern configured to match a color or decorative pattern of the shoe.
 14. The hem protector of claim 10, wherein the elongated body is made from a non-slip, rubber material.
 15. The hem protector of claim 14, wherein the non-slip, rubber material is neoprene.
 16. The hem protector of claim 10, wherein the elongated body is clear, transparent or translucent.
 17. A hem protector for an open-heeled shoe, comprising: an elongated body having a first end and a second end, said elongated body made from neoprene; an opening in said first end, said opening configured to fit around a heel on the shoe and secure the first end to the heel; and a flap on said second end configured to fold around the strap and mating fasteners for securing the flap to the elongated body after being folded around the strap, said flap and flap securement means for attaching the second end to a strap on the shoe proximate to the heel disposed on the flap and the elongated body proximate to a mid-point thereof.
 18. The hem protector of claim 17, wherein said mating fasteners comprise hook and loop material, snaps, a button and a button-hole, or magnets.
 19. The hem protector of claim 17, wherein the elongated body has a solid color or a decorative pattern configured to match a color or decorative pattern of the shoe.
 20. The hem protector of claim 17, wherein the elongated body is clear, transparent or translucent. 